Miniature concrete mixer



1964 A. M. BRENNEKE 3,158,361

MINIATURE CONCRETE MIXER Filed June 20, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 24, 1964 BRENNEKE 3,158,361

MINIATURE CONCRETE MIXER Filed June 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,158,361 MINIATURE CONCRETE MIXER Arthur M. Brennelre, 23 Maplewood Drive, New Castle, Ind. Filed June 20, I963, Ser. No. 289,213 7 Claims, (Cl. 259-I77) This invention relates in general to concrete mixers, and more particularly to a concrete mixer of relatively small size and capacity which is particularly adapted for household use and do it yourself construction projects.

In the concrete mixer field it is conventional to provide a relatively large drum to effect the mixing, a sturdy base to support the drum, and means for rotating the drum such as an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. Such devices have not in general met with wide commercial acceptance by the average home owner, due to their prohibitively high cost and to the relatively infrequent number of times such a device is needed. Accordingly, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a small concrete mixer which is simple in construction, efficient and durable in operation, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and maintain so as to be well within the financial reach of an average home owner.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a concrete mixer which requires a minimum number of parts, and which may be quickly assembled and disassembled in a trouble free manner.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a barrel type of concrete mixer which may be rotated by a commonly available power source, such as an electric drill.

Still another object of the invention is to removably mount a mixing barrel on a concrete mixer so that the barrel can be readily lifted from the machine to transfer the mixed concrete to the place of use.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a simplified barrel supporting structure for a concrete mixer wherein the supporting structure includes a minimum of frame structure.

A further object of the invention is to provide support structure for a concrete mixer which is light in Weight and small in size so as to be capable of being stored in the mixer barrel during periods of non-use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified drive means for the mixing barrel of a concrete mixer.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the specification and drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear or drive end view of the structure shown in FIGURE 1 with the barrel removed (looking at the left hand end);

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary end view looking into the barrel interior;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken substantially as shown along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, taken substantially as shown along line 55 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 6 is a perspective rear or drive end view of the mixer.

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail one specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

is illustrated.

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Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, reference numeral 10 is used to indicate the mixing drum or barrel of the concrete mixer. In the illustrated embodiment, drum 10 is substantially cylindrical in form having a side wall 11, and a base or bottom 12 and an open end 12'. A blade structure 13 is mounted centrally on base 12 to provide proper agitation for the mixture when drum 10 is rotated. As shown, blade structure 13 is formed from a single piece of suitable material and includes a flattened central portion 14 in the form of a parallelogram having a pair of openings through which suitable fasteners 15 extend to secure the blade to the drum base. A pair of upright blades 16 extend upwardly from one opposed pair of parallel sides of section 14 and terminate a substantial distance inwardly from the end of the barrel. 'Blades 16 extend outwardly toward the sides of the barrel, and terminate in angularly disposed portions 17 which pass close to the barrel side 11 and are secured thereto by suitable fasteners 18. It will be readily understood that blade 13 may be formed from one or'more pieces of sheet metal bent into the desired configuration.

The novel support structure for drum 10 will be best understood from a consideration of FIGURES 1 and 2.

The drum support structure consists of two frame members, indicated generally by reference numerals Ztl and 30. As is best seen in FIGURE 2, first frame member 20 is preferably made of a single piece of material and includes a generally upwardly open V-shaped front leg formed by upwardly divergent rod portions 21 and 22. The junction of portions 21 and 22 at 23 is adapted to rest upon any surface supporting the concrete mixer, as indicated generally at S. As is best seen in FIGURE 1, rod portions 21 and 22 are inclined forwardly and include forwardly extending rod portions 24 and 25. Frame member 20 further includes rear leg members 25 and 27 which are continuous with and extend downwardly from portions 24 and 25, respectively. Rear legs as and 27 are generally parallel with one another and both are positioned at an angle of approximately 80 with respect to rods 21 and 22, as viewed in FIGURE 1. Rear leg 27 is slightly longer than leg 26, and terminates in an end portion 28 which rests upon surface S, whereas the end portion 29 of leg 26 is spaced from surface S.

Second frame member 3% is preferably made of a single piece of material and includes a downwardly open generally V-shaped rear leg defined by downwardly divergent rod portions 31 and 32. Portions 31 and 32 span end portions 28 and 29 of legs 26 and 27, and are secured.

thereto by similar clamps 30. As is best seen in FIGURE 1, legs 31 and 32 are inclined forwardly and positioned at substantially right angles to legs 26 and 27. Leg 31 is substantially longer than leg 32 so that the end portion 33 of leg 31 is positioned on surface S while the end portion 34 of leg 32 is spaced from surface S. Frame member 3%) further includes a forwardly extending leg 35 which is continuous with and extends upwardly from end portion 33. The end portion of leg 35 islprovided with a 180 bend to form a rearwardly extending portion 36 which, in combination with leg 35, defines a cradle for supporting an electric drill as will hereinafter become more fully apparent.

The construction of clamp 4% will be best'understood from a consideration of FIGURE 5, wherein the clamp which is used to secure leg portions 28 and 32 together Clamp 49 is substantially U-shaped in cross section, having a base 41 and spaced sides 42, 42. Aligned apertures 43 are provided in sides 42 for reception of the end portion 28 of leg 2.7. Legs 2 embrace rod end 34, and clamp is held imposition by a'suitable' screw member 44 that is threaded through an opening 45 provided in base 41, and clampingly engages rod portion 32 to secure it to leg 27.

A back up wheel Si) is rotatably mounted on rod 32, and engages the bottom 12 to provide support for drum it Wheel Sll is provided with a central opening which receives a standard hollow hard plastic sleeve 52 having a shoulder 52' abutting the wheel and the tube is secured to the wheel, as by a conduit ring nut 53. Sleeve 52 surrounds and turns on rod 32 while abutting clamp ill, and thereby provides a bearing means for wheel The means for rotating drum will be best understood from an examination of FIGURE 1 and FIGURE 2 wherein an ordinary electric hand drill 60 is illustrated as the source of power for rotating drum 1%. Drill 69 is held in the cradle formed between leg portions 35 and 36 by a flexible metal clamp strap 61 that passes around cradle 35, 36 and around the body of the drill. Suitable means such as a screw and nut 62, preferably covered, engages the ends of strap 61 to tighten the strap and insure a secure mounting of drill 6% on the frame. A first pulley 63 has a shank 63' mountable in the chuck of drill 6i and, through an endless belt 64, rotates a second pulley 65 that is rotatably mounted on leg 26. A longitudinally extending tubular rubber-like member 6:: is integrally associated with pulley 65 and surrounds leg 25. Suitable plastic sleeves 67 and 68 are affixed in the opposite ends of tubular member 66 and serve as bearings rotatable on rod 26 to rotatably mount pulley 65 and tubular member 66 on leg 26. Sleeve 68 is fixedly secured to pulley 65 by ring nut 68' that has a flattened surface, which bears against clamp 4%. It will'be readily understood, that when drill 60 is connected to a source of electrical power, not shown, pulley 63 will drive pulley 65 and rotate tubular member 66 on leg member 26. A second longitudinal tubular member 69 surrounds leg 27 and is mounted for rotation with respect thereto by suitable plastic sleeve like bearings 79 and 71 that are alfixed in the opposite ends of tubular member 65 It will be appreciated that frictional engagement of member 66 with drum it will cause rotation of the drum, and that tubular member 69 and wheel 50 will allow the drum to rotate with a minimum amount of friction.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present invention provides a small concrete mixer which is simple, yet novel in design, and which is'inexpensive to manufacture and operate. Frame members and may be formed from single pieces of rod bent to the desired configuration. Wheel Sit and. pulleys63 and 65 may be formed of wood or any other readily available materials Suitable lengths of garden hose or similar tubing may serve as the tubular members 66 and 69, and

ordinary plastic pipe fittings function satisfactorily as bearings 52, 67, 68, 70, and 71. The entire support and drive structure may be readily assembled and disassembled, and when disassembled, all parts may be stored in the drum. When assembled the mixer drum it is supported solely by tubular members 66 and 69 and rests thereon under its own weight and the action of gravity, so that the drum may be lifted from its support for filling purposes, or to transfer a batch of mixed concrete to the place of use, without having to first loosen or disengage any part on the supporting structure. When refilled, it is equally simple to replace the drum in position on the tubular members. a

While the present invention has primary utility as a concrete mixer, it should also be noted that it may be used to mix other dry or wet materials, such as livestock feed, seeds, fertilizer, and chemicals. Thus, it should be apparent that each of the objects of the invention have been fully achieved.

1. In combination, a support having a first frame member; said first frame memberhaving an upwardly open 'generally V-shaped front leg with spaced ends and rearframe members; said first frame member having an upi wardly open generally V-shaped forward leg with spaced ends and generally parallel rearward legs each extending downwardly from a forward leg end; said second frame member having a downwardly open generally V-shaped rearward leg with spaced ends spanning said first frame member rearward legs and positioned at generally right angles therewith; means securing said second frame member rearward leg to said first frame memberrearward legs; said second frame member having a forward leg extending upwardly from a rearward leg end; abutment means on said second member rearward leg; a drum removably positioned between said first frame member rearward legs and engaging said abutment means; and means for rotating said drum including a driven member rotatably mounted on a first frame rearward leg and frictionally engaging said drum, and a driving member mounted on said second frame member forward leg.

3; The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said first frame member forward leg is forwardly inclined.

4. The combination defined in claim 2, wherein said abutment means comprises a wheel rotatably mounted on said second frame member rearward leg.

5. In a concrete mixer or the like, in combination, a mixer drum having an open upper end, an assemblable and disassembled frame having a tripod ground engage ing support and a cradle inclined from horizontal for rotatably supporting the drum, said frame comprising first and second frame members and means for releasably clamping the members together, said first frame member comprising a single bent rod formed with two ground engagingsupports and a pair of parallel portions generally parallel to the axis of the drum having roller means thereon rotatably engageable with the drum, said second frame member comprising a single bent rod formed with a single ground engaging support and por tions transverse to the bottom of the drum crossing respectively the parallel portions of said first frame and having at least one roller thereon rotatably engaging the bottom of the drum, and means for clamping comprising apair of-clamps, one for each crossing, each having a manually operable member for clamping the crossing rod portions together.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said second frame member includes a rod portion bent to form a cradle for an electric drill or the like to provide a power source, and including means for clamping a drill to the drill cradle and means for connectingthe drill chuck to drive one of said roller means. p

7. A combination as defined in claim 6 wherein the drill cradle is generally parallel to the drum cradle and including a drive pulley fixed for rotation with one of the roller means on the first frame member.

849,206 9/60 Great Britain. 7

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Ea'caminer. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT HAVING A FIRST FRAME MEMBER; SAID FIRST FRAME MEMBER HAVING AN UPWARDLY OPEN GENERALLY V-SHAPED FRONT LEG WITH SPACED ENDS AND REARWARD LEGS EACH EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FORM A FRONT LEG END; A SECOND FRAME MEMBER SPANNING SAID FIRST FRAME MEMBER REARWARD LEGS; MEANS SECURING SAID SECOND FRAME MEMBER TO SAID FIRST MEMBER REARWARD LEGS; ABUTMENT 